28 states warn famine threatens Sudan as war blocks aid

Dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, warned Friday that famine threatens Sudan and demanded unimpeded humanitarian access.

• The joint statement said 19.5 million people, 41 percent of Sudan's population, face acute food insecurity.
• It called on warring parties to remove obstacles to aid, protect humanitarian workers and refrain from attacking civilian infrastructure.
• The UN-backed IPC warned Oct 12 that famine risk is growing, with July-September rainfall at its lowest in over three decades.
• Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out negotiations on Oct 7, vowing to fight until all Rapid Support Forces-held territory is reclaimed.